Electric exhibitor.



B. H. WINTERS.

ELECTRIC -EXHIBITOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.17, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEJEIT 1.

J8 J0 Snow def atmnu B. H. WINTERS.

ELECTRIC EXHIBITOR.

APPLIGATION FILED 1130.17, 1907.

Patented Dec. 1, 1908.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

'NlED STATES PATENT orrion.

'nmso'rnro Enron.

Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Dec. 1, 1908,

application filed December 17, 1907. Serial No. 406,984.

To all whom it m concera:

Beit knownthat I, BERT H. Wmrnas, a.

citizen of theUnitcd States, residing atAn- P n. the county of Anne Arundel and State of fli'iaryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Exhibitors,- of which thefollowing is-a specific'ation. I

This invention H comprehends certain new and useful improvements in electrically ac tuat'ed exhibitors designed to display either this character which will be composed of comparatively few parts that may be readily assembled and that will not be liable to get out 'of order on require any attention. for

the purposes of adjustment, and the invention consists in certain constructions, arrangements and combinations of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe and then point out the novel features in the appended claims. V

For a full understahding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electrically actuated exhibiting apparatus constructed in. accordance with the principles of my inventiomand illustrating one appli cation thereof, that'is, the simultaneous dis- "drums being shown, and the View being the actuatin parts in'a different play of a picture and an advertisement; Fig

is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3,- brolren away at the middle for the conventional purpose of indicating that the appa rates is preferably widerthan indicated'in such view; Fig. 3 is a view in the nature of an electrical and mechanical diagram for the especial purpose of illustrating the wiringin addition to the mechanical features of'construction, both ends of the revoluble substantially a section on the'line 3-430 Fig;

2 sofar-as the mechanical features are cona earned; Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating from that lustrated in Fig. 3'; Fig. 5 is a detail perspective. view of the drum actuat,-- ing plunger and a portionof'the armature position of an electro magnet secured to said'plunger; and, Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the flasher switch employed for effecting the intermittent closing of the circuit and the energization of the actuating magnets.

Corresponding and like parts are referred toy in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The casing 1 of the apparatus may be of any desired size, shape and construction and may be provided with a relatively stationary front 2 with unp'erand lower sight openings 3 and 4, a hinged back 5 beingsecured to the top of the casing so' that ready access may be had to the interior parts.

6 designates the service terminals for theleads from..any,suitable source of electrical supply (not shown) and 7 and 8 designate these drums may comprise circular heads 9 and 10 of fiber or similar insulating material, the heads lO being provided with gear teeth that intermesh, as shown-bestin Fig. 2, and

a series 'of cross bars 11 also of fiber or the likesecured to the said heads, and dividing the drums into a series of longitudinally extending compartments, peripherally considered. Ledges 12 are secured to or formed on the inner faces of the heads 9 and 10; and

preferably panes of glass 13 rest against translucent cards 14 displaying the advertisements, or pictorial matter, or both being laidyagainst the said panes and being 'retained in place by outer panes 15 secured by the respective ledges, the transparent or i spring catches 16 or the like. The upper -drum A is mounted to turn on gudgeons projecting inwardly from oppositely facing brackets 17 secured to the ends of the casing 1, while the lower drum B is mounted to turn-in suitable bearings provided on the upper ends of posts or standards 18 secured to thebottom of the. casing. Theinterior of the respective drums is lighted at intervalsby means-of incandescent lamps 19 and 20 in the upper drum A; and 21 and 22 111 the lower drum B, as bestseen in Fig. 2.

1 As has been stated, myimproved exhibit-- ing apparatus-is electrically actuated, and have provided in the present instance for this pur use'an eleetro. magnet 23 mounted drums,

on an insulating bracket 24 secured within the casing l. 'lhe armature 25 of the magnet is carried by a spring member 26, the tension of which is to draw the armature away from the pole of the magnet. This armature is extended beyond the magnet as best seen in Figs. 3 and l and is provided at its free end with a stirrup or loop 27 through which a pin 28 extends. This pin 28 is secured to and projects laterally from the lower end of a vertica-lly movable plunger 29, mounted to slide in lower and upper brackets 30 and 81 secured to one end or the casing. Preferably the upper end of the plunger is offset as indicated at 29 to work through the upper bracket. This plunger 29 carries a preferably spring tappet 32 which projects outwardly and downwardly and which is designed for engagement with lugs.or radially extending ribs 65 secured to the outer face of the head 9 of the upper drum A, so that every movement downward of the plunger willcause the engagement of the tappet 32 with one of the lugs, and consequently effect the turning of both of the l t is to be particularly noted, as best seen in Fig. 5, that the lower bracket 30 is formed with a clearance slot or recess 3%. The plunger 29 is formed with a corresponding, but

preferably longer recess 35 des gned, in the upper position of the plunger to register with the clearance slot 3st. The head 10 of the upper drum A is provided with a plurality 'of outwardly projecting abutments 36 that are arranged to move through the slots 34 and 35, and to bring up successively against the plunger 29 when the'latter has moved downwardly to its lowermost position, so as to prevent the over-running of the drums and insure the accurate movement thereof. It is of course to be understood that the parts are arranged to permit one abutment 36 to pass through the slots 34.- and 35 as the plunger 29 moves downwardly toturn the drums, before the solid portion of the plunger shall have closed the clearance slot 34: against the passage of the succeeding abutment.

I shall now describe particularly the electrical features of the apparatus The head 10 of the upper drum A is provided with a circular series of metallic contact-brushes 37, preferably of spring metal secured thereto at one end and with the other end free and projecting outwardly from the face of the head. A switch arm 38 of the spring Wiping type is secured to one end of the casing, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 and is designed for intermittent and successive engagement with the respective brushes 3-7, to close the lighting circuit for the upper drum. The lighting circuit forthe lower drum includes a corresponding. switch arm 39 wh1ch may be secured to the topof the casing and which is designed to alsoengage with the brushes 37, as best seen in Fig. 3.

The circuits of the apparatus include a service lead 40 secured to one of the terminals or binding posts 6 (see Fig. 2) extending to a contact fingerfell bearing upon a disk 42 secured to the head 9 of the drum A, said disk being in electrical connection with the binding posts of the lamp 19. This lamp is also connected by the lead 44 to the binding post of the opposite lamp 20. From the contact finger 41 the service lead lii extends to a corresponding finger 46 in engagement with the contact disk 47 of the lower lamp 21 secured to the head 9 of the lower drum B and this lamp is connected by the lead 43 to the binding post of the opposite lamp 22. From the finger 46 a lead 48 extends and is connected to a binding post 49 (see Fig. 6). The binding post 49 is electrically connected as at 48 to one of the blades 52 of a flasher switch, said blade being composed of two metallic parts which have relatively difierent co-efiicients of ex.- pansion and being designed to be in contact with a terminal screw 58 adjustably secured in the other switch blade 5%. The switch 'blade 54 is connected to a binding post 55, and a lead 56 extends from said. bindingpost to the electro magnets 23.

An asbestossheet 51 is wrapped around the-blade 52 of the flasher switch and a German silver or other fine resistance wire 50 is wound around the asbestos and electrically connects the blade 52 with the binding post 55. The resistance of the wire 50 chokes the current flowing through the lead 48 and prevents it from energizing the electro magnets 23 so long. as the blade 52 is out of direct contact with the terminal screw 53. This manifestly heats the blade 52 and the consequent expansion thereof causes the blade to come into direct contact with the screw 53 so as to short circuit the resistance circuit and permit the fullcurrent to flow freely through the blades 52 and 54 and electro magnets to energize the same. As soon, however, as the blade 52 cools oif, it will contact and assume its normal position in spactd relation to the screw of the lighting circuit for the upper drum,

and the brushes 37 are all connected together electrically. The lead 44 of the circuitior the lamps 19 and'20 is connected to the I main circuit bytapping one of the wires'59,

as indicated at 59 The switch amt 39 is connected to the binding post 60 by the lead (51 and said binding post has connected to it a contact finger 62 in frictional engagement with the'contact disk 63 on the head 10 of the lower drum B.

In the practical operation of my improved electrical exhibiting apparatus, after the service leads 7 and 8 are connected to the source of supply, it is manifest that the current flowing through the resistance wire 50 .Will so heat the contact blade 51 as to cause the expansion thereof and the consequent. contact between the blades 52 and 54. This will close the'circuit within the apparatus and the consequent energization of the electro-magnets 23 will cause the downward i movement of the armature25. The downward movement of the armature will effect a corresponding movement of the plunger to engage with one of the radial ribs or lugs 33 and will turn the two drums simultaneously so as to eifect a shifting of the display matter at the sight openings 3 and 4. One of the abutments 36 comes up against the side of the plunger 29, and the-parts are thus held stationary with the plunger in the downward position until the flasher shall have had a chance to cool off and break the circuit, whereupon, manifestly, the spring 26 29 upwardly in readiness for a succeeding operation. So long asv the magnets 23 are energized and the plunger held in the downposition with the drum stationary, the switch arm 38-will be in electrical contact with one of the brushes 37, and the circuit for the lamps of the upper drum willbe maintained closed'so as to light the interior of said-drum while the lower drum will be correspondingly lighted by the contact of the switch arm 39 with another of the brushes '37, the lighting circuit of the lower drum being supplied with its current directly from the lamps and circuits will go out as soon as the drums begin to move, owing to the breaking of the circuits between the brushes 37 and the switch arms 38 and 39.

henthe main service circuit is closed, the current will flow from the lead 7 through the leads 40-and 45, as indicated by the darts in Fig.3, thence from the lead 48 to and through the electric magnets 23, and out through the lead 57, thereby energizing the magnet. For the lighting circuit of the 1 lamps-l9 and 20 of the upper drum A, the current from the lead 4Q flows through the finger 41 and the disk 42, thence through the lead 44 to the opposite lamp and out through one ofthe wires 59 and-contact member38 and lead 58 which taps the-main lead 57.

For the lower pair of lamps, it will be under-- stood that the current will pass into the finger 46, and thence to the disk 47, by the lead 43? .to the opposite lampi22, and the I but that both of the sight openings may diswill carry the armature 25 and the plunger upper drum. Obviously, the lights of both ture therefor, means for intermittently era-- of the latter, as and or the pnrpose'set forth.

sent display matter at said sight opening,

'will be seen that I have provided an im proved exhibiting apparatus of this type which will be positive or sure in its action and which will not be liable to get out of order or require undue attention. \Vhile I have shown in Fig; l the device as displaying an advertisement and a scene at the dif ferent sight openings, it is obvious that my invention is not limited to such arrangement,

play advertisement or pictorial'matter, and that my invention also is not limited to the employment of two or any plural number of drums. i

Havin thus described the invention, what is claime as new is:

1. In an apparatusloi. the character de scribed, the combination of a casing. provided with a si ht openi, g a revoluble drum mounted in saidcasing are adapted to bring display matter in registry with said. sight opening, an electro-magnet mounted in the casing, a service circuit in which said ma net. is included, means for automatical'y and intermittently energizing said magnet, the magnet being providedwith an armature, and a plunger operatively connected to said armature, and arranged upon actuation to turnthe drum, the drum being provided with abutments adapted to engage the plunger subsequent to the actuation of the drum by the plunger, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, the combination of a casing pro- 195 vided with a. sight opening, a revoluble drummounted lD,'S2,1d'C3.SlI1g and adapted to present display matter at-said opemng, an elec tro-magnet mounted in the casing, an arma- 11c ergizing said magnet, a source of supply for the magnetenergizing means, a plunger, guides in the casing for said plunger, one of said guides being provided with a slot, and the plunger being provided with a slot adapted to register with the slot of the guide, an operative connection between the plunger and the armature, and means for turning the drum by and upon the movement of the plunger in one direction, the drum being provided with abutments designed to pass through the slots of the guide and plunger in one position of the latter, and to bring up against the plun er in the otherposition' 3. In an apparatus of the character as: scribed, the combination with a casing provided with asight opening, a revoluble drum mounted in said casing and adapted to preelectrically connected, an electrojma said drum being. translucent, one or more lamps within said drum, a clrcuit for said lamps, the drum being provlded at one end with a circular series of brushes all of which i are electrically connected, an electro-magnet vided with a clearance slot, mansrfor feeding,the current to the lighting circuitthrough' the brushes of the drum, the drum being provided with a, series of abutments arranged between the several brushes and the. brushes and abutments being in registry with the clearance slot of the plunger with the latter in one position, movement of the plunger to anothe'rposition will effect the turnin of the drum and the engagemen of the a utment with the plunger. at. In an apparatus of the character; described, the combination of acasing pro-v vided with I ment'mounted in said casing and adapted to preventdispla'y matter'at said opening, an electro magnet mounted in the casing, -'an armature therefor, means for intermittently energizing said magnet, 'a lungerjmounted in the casing, guides there or,"'said plunger being provided witha-slot, and means for actuating the movable element by and upon plunger iIIOEIB dIIGCI-E- tion, said element being prov1dedw1th abutthe movement of-the.

ments designed to pass'through theslot of the plunger in one position of the latterfand' to bring u against the plunger in the other positioiro the latter.

5. In an apparatus; of the character describe the combination. of a, casingprovided with a sight opening, a revoluble drum mounted insaid casing 'and adapted to present displa matter at said-sight open? mg, the drum in formed atone end'with a circular series 'offilrushes, all of which are et Within the casing, a service circuitin w ich said magnet is included, meansfor' intermittently energizing said magnet, an .armature for saidmagnet, a plungermounted in said casing, and operatively connected to saidarma:tnre,'"one or more 'lamps arithin said drum, a circuit 'for said lamps, means for feeding the current to the lighting circuit through the brushes of the drum, means for turning said drum'dby and upon the movement of the plunger in one direction, and a switch arm ada ted'to engage said brushes successively, said switch armbeing included in the-service circuit. 1 6. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a casing'(pr ov1dedw1th a sight opening, a revolublerum mounted 'tion, the drum being and means whereby ,the

'i-irsaid play matter at said opening, a. plunger ,teritly actuating said plunger,

a sight opening, a movable ele .bein

videdwith sight i openings, a. driving connection cular series 0 in said casing and adapted to present display matter at said sight opening, 'an electro magnet mounted in the casin an armature therefor, provided at one end with a loop, means for energizing said magnet intermittently, a plunger, guides in the casing for said plunger, one of said guides being formed with a slot and the plunger being provided witha slot adapted to re ister with the'slot of the guide,the 'plunger being also provided with a pin fitting in said loop, and means for turning the drum by." and upon the movement of the plunger in one direc provided with abutments designed to pass through the slots of the guide"and plunger, in one position of the latter, and to brin up against the plunger in the other position of the latter.

the 'ch'aracterde- 7. An apparatus of scribed, comprising. a casing provided with a sight opening a revoluble drum mounted casingand adapted to present dismeans for intermitsaid' plunger g provided with aslot, and means for turning the drum by andupon the movement of theplunger in onedirection, the drum bemounted' in the casing,

mg provided with abutments f designed to passthrough the slot of the plunger in one position ofithe latter and to bring up against 1 ang r; ,in the 'otherposition of, the

5.3.1. Inf an; apparatusof the character describedffthez combination of a'casing proopenings, a lurality of revolubie=drnmsjinounted 1nsai casing and adaptedfto present display matter at said drum: to the other, electrically controlled means'for impartin ment to one of sai drums, and indirectly t h he drums, a service circuit for the electrical movin -means for the drums, one of said drums ing rovided at one end with a cirbrushes electrically connected together; a connection between the brushes and one and a switch arm adapted for intermittent engagement with such brushes and connected tothe opposite or complemental'lead of said service circuit, and a connection between the lighting circuit 'ofthe other drum and one of the leads of the "service circuit and the said brushes. v

9.. In anapparatus of the character. de-

scribed,

heads, a seriesiof cross bars secured to sai heads and dividing theqdrum into a series of longitudinally. extending compartments,

- the heads being provided at-their inner faces Wlth' ledges, "transpa-rent panes resting against the ledges, translucent cards lying against 'said': panes, the, outer panes lying from one g anintermittent 'movelighting circuits for both ofthe'leads of the servicecircuit a translucent' drum comprising against the cards, and spring. catches adapted to secure said last named panes in position. i

l0. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a casing provided with a sight opening, a revoluble drum adapted to present display matter at said opening, said drum being rovidedat one end, near its hub, with a series of radial ribs, a plunger provided with a spring tappet adapted to successively engage said ribs, supports in which said plunger is mo'unted to reciprocate, the plunger being provlded with a clearance slot, and means for reciprocating said plunger, the drum being provided 'with 15 a circular series of abutments designed to pass through the slot of the plungerin one position of the same, and to bring up against the plunger in the other position thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 20 in presence of two witnesses.

.BERT H. WINTERS. L. 8.]

W. N. WOODSON. 

